All The Latest​From The Farm

After 5 years of growing our little farm into a successful business, Lynn and I are preparing to step away and start a new adventure. Beginning later this month we will be moving into "Allie" (our 2008 Tiffin Allegro) and become full time RVers!

This is something we've been talking about for awhile, but it wasn't until this summer I was able to convince Lynn now was the time to do it. While we're excited about the future, it will be a little bittersweet leaving the farm for months at a time.

So, what does this mean for the farm? Glad you asked!

a new beginning...

Meet Chris and Sherri Hill!

Chris is our son and has been working with us on the farm since 2016, focusing almost all of his efforts on growing our all natural produce. Sherri, his wife, began working full time with Chris this year and has been a great addition to the farm and our family.

Moving forward, Chris, Sherri and their 2 teenagers (Za and Zion) will move to the farm here in White House and take over the farm's day to day operations. We will still be involved, but on a much smaller scale.

I learned a long time ago that change is tough, but necessary for successful organizations and our little farm is not exempt. We're not really sure exactly what the farm will look like moving forward, but we're all excited about the new adventure/beginning and will keep you posted. Stay tuned!

We are excited to announce our 1st annual Farm to Table dinner! The dinner is scheduled (rain or shine) for Saturday, October 6 at 6:00 pm and will take place at our farm in White House.

Chris and Sherri have been working hard on a great menu utilizing our pasture raised meats and seasonal veggies. The 4 course menu will consist of an appetizer, salad, entree (choice of Mediterranean stuffed chicken breast or pork chop) with 2 sides and dessert. Beverages will include your choice of water, soft drinks or tea. For those who would enjoy wine with their dinner, please feel free to bring your own. (Click here for full menu)

Cost for the dinner is $65 per person and includes the meal, non-alcoholic beverages and gratuity. Space is very limited so please make your reservations early to guarantee your seats. Please feel free to contact us with questions and we hope to see you there!

​Many of you have been asking when we were going to offer a meat CSA and we've heard you. Beginning this November, we will be offering our new Meat CSA!

Based on your feedback, our new Meat CSA is all about options. First, you will be able to choose at what level you would like to participate, based on your family's individual needs and budget. Whether you are single, empty nesters or a family of 6, we have a participation level that should work for you.

Next, you will be able to select from our available inventory of pasture raised chicken, pork and beef, exactly which meats you want to be in your share each month. This means you never have to worry about getting a cut of meat you have no idea what to do with! All chicken one month, pork and beef the next? Yes, please...​

Last, but certainly not least, you will be able to order your share each month at your convenience. Early in the month, middle of the month or end of the month...your choice each and every month. In addition to ordering on your schedule, you will also be able to schedule a pick up time and location that works best for you. Choices will include farm pick up Mon-Fri afternoons, Glenbrook Shopping Center on Saturday mornings from 9:00-9:30, Coleman Park Community Center 3rd Thursday of each month from 4:30-5:30 pm and, based on CSA level, free home delivery.

​If multiple share level options. fully customizable share contents and your choice of pick up locations/times sounds like a meat CSA you would like to be a part of, then we would love to have you join us!

Many times we are asked the question, “What is a CSA?“. Our first response is usually “CSA stands for community supported agriculture”, and while that’s certainly true, a CSA is really much more than this simple definition.A good CSA is really a partnership between the farm and its members. And, like any good partnership, this means creating an environment of trust and mutual benefits for both sides. Since launching our first CSA back in 2013, we have worked hard at trying to create a farm family feeling for our members. We see our members as playing a major role in helping us grow our farm and enlarging our farm family. In return, we work very hard to provide members with fresh, local, healthy, all-natural meat, eggs and vegetables for themselves and their families.This year, in honor of National CSA Day (Feb 24), farms across the USA and Canada are coming together in an effort to help consumers better understand exactly what is and isn’t a true CSA. A major element in this effort is the creation of a “Partner CSA Charter” that both farms and their members commit to uphold.We feel this charter accurately reflects what we believe a CSA should be. Therefore are happy to participate in this international effort and to share this charter with all of our members, past, present and future…

It is up to each CSA farm and its community to build a model that suits them best and to mutually ensure that the CSA upholds the principles of this charter.

Farm members buy directly from the farm or group of farms. There is no middleman.

The farm provides member families with high quality, healthy, nutrient-dense, fresh and preserved, local and low fossil-fuel food or fiber, filling the share with products grown on the farm, or if purchased from other farms, clearly identified as to origin.

Farm members commit to the CSA, sharing the risks and rewards of farming by signing an agreement with the CSA and paying some part in advance.

The farm nurtures biodiversity through healthy production that is adapted to the rhythm of the seasons, is respectful of the natural environment and builds healthy soils, restores soil carbon, conserves water and minimizes pollution of soil, air and water.

Farmers and members commit to good faith efforts for continuous development of mutual trust and understanding, and to solidarity and responsibility for one another as co-producers.

Farm members respect the connection with the land upon which the CSA grows their food and strive to learn more and to understand the nature of growing food in their locale.

Farmers practice safe-handling procedures to ensure that the produce is safe to eat and at its freshest, tastiest and most nutritious when delivered.

CSA prices reflect a fair balance between the farmers’ needs to cover cost of production and pay living wages to themselves and all farm workers so that they can live in a dignified manner and members’ needs for food that is accessible and affordable.

Farmers consult with members, take their preferences into account when deciding what crops to grow and to communicate regularly about the realities of the farm.

Farm members commit to cooperation with the community of members and to fulfill their commitments to the CSA.

Farmers commit to using locally adapted seeds and breeds to the greatest extent possible.

The CSA seeks paths to social inclusiveness to enable the less well-off to access high quality food and commits to growing the CSA movement through increasing the number of CSAs and collaboration among them.

I realize this is a lengthy post. However I believe it’s vital when considering whether or not to join a CSA that you know exactly what we believe and how we consider our CSA a true partnership. Not all CSAs are created equal and it really does come down to… “Know your farmer, know your food.”For more information on our CSA and how to sign up, please click here…

When I opened Facebook this morning, the first thing I saw was a “Facebook memory” from 3 years ago. It was a blog post entitled “Why A Farm” and it was the first ever post on this website. (If you’re fairly new to following our farm journey, you may want to take a moment and check out why we decided to start a farm in the first place.)

In launching the farm, we knew very little about what it took to actually run a farm. This was especially true when it came to raising animals and building stuff. However, thanks to God’s blessings, the Internet and some great fellow farmers we’ve met and befriended along the way, we now know enough to be really dangerous!We’ve also been blessed with meeting a lot of new folks who started out as customers and have now become friends and part of our farm family. Without a doubt this has been the most rewarding part of operating our farm. We love providing families with great tasting, healthy, all-natural, pasture-raised chicken, eggs, pork and fresh veggies.

With all that being said, I thought it might be of interest to share all that you, our friends and customers, helped us to accomplish in 2016:

Raised and processed 35 hogs. Quite the increase over the original 3 pictured above.

Raised, processed and sold approximately 3,300 lbs of pasture-raised chicken.

Collected, washed and sold almost 3,500 dozen eggs. For the eggheads in the crowd, that’s around 42,000 eggs, or an average of 115 eggs/day!

Saw our Summer and Fall Produce CSAs grow to a total of 85 memberships.

Yes, 2016 was a great year and we thank each and everyone of you who helped make it so. Now, as we look ahead to 2017, we are even more excited about what the future holds. We hope you are as well because we simply cannot do this without our customers and farm family.Thank you and don’t be strangers this coming year. You are always welcome on the farm!

Those of you who know me, probably know that God has given me a love for the people of East Africa. Since 2010 I have been blessed to go on 9 evangelistic mission trips to Rwanda (1), Uganda (2) and Kenya (6). Throw in a Christian camping ministry trip this past April to South Africa and it adds up to 10 trips across the pond.

Now, for the first time, I have an opportunity to go on an agricultural mission trip to an orphan village in Mbira, Uganda. Our church (Long Hollow Baptist) helps to support the orphanage and this will be my 3rd trip there, but the first time I will be focused on helping the missionaries and staff enhance their farming activities.

Suffice it to say I’m both excited and nervous. Excited to be going back and seeing everyone, plus it’s a great opportunity to take what I’ve learned over the past 3 years farming here and hopefully use this experience to help the village become more sustainable. On the other hand, it makes me very nervous to be the “farming expert” on the team, given all that I don’t know!

The primary focus on this trip will be to install an irrigation system. Doing so will allow them to grow crops year round, even during their “dry” seasons. Currently they are blessed to have a good well, but no way to efficiently move the water from the well to the crops. Installing a solar pump with drip irrigation lines will help improve the yield on their existing food crops. It will also give them a chance to raise cash crops, such as strawberries, to help support the work of the orphanage and school, while at the same time saving valuable water.

Our trip is scheduled to depart January 26 and between now and then, I could use your help on a couple of things. First and foremost, I would love to have a team of prayer warriors on board with us for the trip. If you are willing to commit to pray for our trip, please email me at thehillfamilyfarm@gmail.com and I will add you to my “prayer warrior” email list. This way I can email you with specific prayer requests, both before we leave, as well as while we’re in the field.

Secondly, the cost of this trip will be approximately $2,000. The good news is this is the least expensive trip I’ve ever been on to Africa, as we got a great deal on the airfare. The not as good news is this is still not an insignificant amount of money for an “old” farmer. If you feel led to help financially with the cost of the trip, it would be greatly appreciated. To contribute, click on this link and it will take you to the Long Hollow mission page. Scroll down until you come to the Uganda section and click on the “Give Now” button next to our trip listing. From there simply follow the instructions and you can make your contribution securely online.​Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I know it’s a little more personal than what we typically talk about, but we do consider you a part of our farm family and this is what families do. They share their lives with each other.Thanks again for being a part of ours and Merriest of Christmas’ to you and your family!

Have you been missing your pasture-raised, all natural pork, chicken and eggs since the Hendersonville Farmers Market closed for the year? Well, we have great news for you!​In past years, we have only sold off the farm during the fall, winter and spring, but in speaking with many of you, we realized this is not always convenient for our customers who live in and around Hendersonville, Gallatin and Goodlettsville. As a result, we are excited to announce our new Glenbrook delivery option!

Every Saturday morning we will be delivering prepaid orders to the Glenbrook Shopping Center (end near Target) from 9:00am-10:00am. To order, simply shop online on this website!

You can pay online and select when you want to pick up your order. Then all you have to do is come to Glenbrook on Saturday between 9:00 and 10:00 to pick up your order. It’s as easy as that!

If you should have any questions, please call (615-330-3153), or email (thehillfamilyfarm@gmail.com). Thanks!

This winter we will once again be offering CSA options for both farm fresh eggs and pasture-raised chicken. Since supplies of both eggs and chicken are limited, committing to our CSA is the best way to be guaranteed fresh eggs and chicken throughout the winter and early spring. Our winter CSA runs November – April and will provide members with fresh eggs on a weekly basis and pasture-raised chicken once a month. Here are all the details:

Eggs – The minimum commitment is one dozen eggs per week, to be picked up weekly. Eggs can be picked up here on the farm either Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday. On Saturdays eggs can be picked up at Glenbrook Shopping Center from 9am-10am each week. Our winter egg share is for 6 months and the cost is $20.50/dozen/month. A non-refundable deposit of $20.50/dozen (deposit will be applied to the cost of your April eggs) is required and you simply pay for your eggs at the beginning of each month when you pick up.

Chicken – Unlike our weekly egg shares, chickens are distributed the first week of each month and can be picked up here on the farm (Tuesday or Thursday, 2pm-5pm) or at Glenbrook Shopping Center (the first Saturday of the month, 9am-10am). When purchasing a chicken share, you are committing to purchase a fixed number of chickens each month from November through April. A non-refundable deposit of $15/chicken (deposit will be applied to the cost of your April chicken) is required and you will pay for your chicken each month when you pick up. Our chicken is currently priced at $4.29/lb and the birds average 3 ½ to 4 ½ lbs. Should you decide to drop out early, you would not have to pay for future months, but you would forfeit your deposit.

I know some of you may have additional questions before committing. If so, please feel free to call or email me and I’ll be happy to answer them.

Last Friday we began “recycling” our oldest egg layers. These birds were over 2 years old and had served us (and many of you) well, but it was definitely time for them to begin moving on.

Now I know some of you may be asking, just exactly how do you recycle a chicken? Well, we send them off to our friendly processor and they come back to the farm as “crock pot” chickens!

Back in the good old days, Grandma would call them stewing chickens. That’s because Grandma knew the older a chicken was, the tougher it could be if not cooked properly. So she simply put the bird in a stew pot all day long, knowing it would be nice and tender by dinner time.

Today, crock pots have replaced stew pots in most of our homes, but the concept is still the same. Low and slow makes for a tender, tasty “crock pot” chicken. While there are tons of crock pot chicken recipes out there, I thought I would share this one with you. It’s very simple and gives you great flexibility in how you use the pulled chicken once it’s cooked. Quesadillas? Check. Enchiladas? Check. Chicken salad? Check. Any other chicken dish you can think of? Check!

As most of you already know, our egg layers are raised on pasture and fed non-GMO feed just like our meat birds. This means you get all the positive health benefits of an all-natural, pasture raised chicken without all the negatives associated with confinement raised birds. All in all…a win/win!

Beginning today, we will have crock pot chickens available for sale ($3.49/lb). To get yours, you can stop by the farm most anytime, or visit us tomorrow (Aug 31) at the White House Farmers Market or Saturday at the Hendersonville Farmers Market.Thanks and we look forward to seeing around the farm soon!

This season marks our 3rd year as a vendor at the Hendersonville Farmers Market. Since it was our first market, we are definitely invested in it being the best market it can possibly be.

What you may, or may not know, is that we are now 1 of only 2 “producer only” farmers at the market. This means the two of us are the only vendors selling exclusively what we grow. As a result, we can tell customers exactly how something was grown, when/how it was harvested and what, if anything, has been sprayed (only organic certified in our case) on the different crops.

Unfortunately some of the other vendors try to be all things to all people. They call themselves farms, but do not grow a great majority of what they sell. Instead they go to auction houses, or regional distribution centers, to buy the produce they turn around and resell. In effect they are buying from commercial farms (probably not local) with no idea how the produce was grown. As long as they are upfront and honest about where their produce comes from, we have no complaints. We learned the first year that people wanting the least expensive “grocery store” produce, with no concern for where or how it was grown, are not our customers. Where we have an issue is when someone is less than honest about where their produce comes from. We feel this hurts the credibility of the market and places those of us who are selling only what we grow at a significant disadvantage.

When visiting a farmers market, whether it’s the HFM or another market, don’t be afraid to ask questions of the farmer before buying. How was it grown? Can we come and visit the farm? When did you harvest this? These are all valid questions and ones we enjoy answering, as we love talking about what we do and how we do it. In addition, be aware of what produce is in season here in Middle TN. If you don’t see it at a producer only vendor’s booth, chances are pretty good it was trucked in and not from around here.​We believe strongly in our slogan, “know your farmer, know your food” and think you do as well. Just know we appreciate you guys and love working hard to provide you and your families with healthy, all-natural produce!